Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    GAZA, May 4 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian officials announced that Israel allowed on Sunday limited amount of industrial fuel for operating the only power plant in the Gaza Strip, in addition to limited amount of cooking gas.

    Kan'an Obied, director of Gaza power plant said that Israel allowed two trucks of industrial fuel for operating Gaza power plant, adding that there was a crisis because Israel hasn't allowed fuel for the power plant since April.

    Allowing industrial fuel for operating Gaza power plant came after the power plant shut down on Sunday one of its three major electric generators. The plant was about to completely stop if fuel did not come for another two days.

    Meanwhile, Mahmoud al-Khazendar, chief of petrol stations' union told reporters that Israel allowed two trucks of cooking gas through Nahal Oz depot on the border between Gaza and Israel. He said that Israel hasn't allowed cooking gas into the Gaza Strip for four days, adding that since early April, Israel has halted diesel and benzene shipments for operating cars and vehicles.

    "The people's suffering is mounting day after day due to the shortage of fuel for cars, vehicles and hospitals, as well as for sewage and water pumping stations," said al-Khazendar.

    Gaza City streets still look empty of traffic due to fuel shortage, where dozens of employees, schoolchildren and students are seen walking towards their workplace, schools and colleges. "I hope that crisis will be over when a ceasefire is reached between Israel and the Palestinian militant groups. We hope the ceasefire will end the blockade and open the closed crossings," said Ibrahim Abu Shahla, a worker of Gaza.